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WHAT IS MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA?
Military sexual trauma (MST) is the term that the Department of Veterans Affairs uses to refer to sexual assault or sexual harassment that occurred while the veteran was in the military.
It includes any sexual activity where someone is involved against his or her will – he or she may have been pressured into sexual activities (for example, with threats of negative consequences for refusing to be sexually cooperative or with implied faster promotions or better treatment in exchange for sex), may have been unable to consent to sexual activities (for example, when intoxicated), or may have been physically forced into sexual activities.
Other experiences that fall into the category of (MST) include unwanted sexual touching or grabbing; threatening, offensive remarks about a person’s body or sexual activities; and/or threatening and unwelcome sexual advances.
Both women and men can experience military sexual trauma (MST) during their service.
(MST) can occur while someone is on or off duty, or on or off base.
(MST) can affect a person’s mental and physical health, even many years later.
Some of the difficulties both female and male survivors of (MST) may have include:
- Strong emotions: feeling depressed; having intense, sudden emotional reactions to things; feeling angry or irritable all the time
- Feelings of numbness: feeling emotionally ‘flat’; difficulty experiencing emotions like love or happiness
- Trouble sleeping: trouble falling or staying asleep; disturbing nightmares
- Difficulties with attention, concentration, and memory: trouble staying focused; frequently finding their mind wandering; having a hard time remembering things
- Problems with alcohol or other drugs
- Difficulty with things that remind them of their experiences of sexual trauma: feeling on edge or ‘jumpy’ all the time; difficulty feeling safe; going out of their way to avoid reminders of their experiences; difficulty trusting others
- Difficulties in relationships: feeling isolated or disconnected from others; abusive relationships; trouble with employers or authority figures
- Physical health problems: sexual difficulties; chronic pain; weight or eating problems; gastrointestinal problems
CAN I APPLY FOR DISABILITY COMPENSATION FOR CONDITIONS RELATED TO MY EXPERIENCES OF MST?
Veterans can receive compensation for disabilities that began or got worse in the line of duty, including disabilities or injuries resulting from (MST).
When a veteran applies for disability compensation, VA must first determine whether there are current disabilities related to his or her military service. If there are ,compensation is based on the current level of impairment.
WHAT SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE?
The VA provides free, confidential counseling and treatment to male and female veterans for mental and physical health conditions related to experiences of (MST).
You do not need to be service-connected and may be able to receive this benefit even if you are not eligible for other VA care. You do not need to have reported the incident when it happened or have other documentation that it occurred.
- Veterans should feel free to ask to meet with a clinician of the same or opposite sex if it would make them feel more comfortable.
VETERANS:
Did you experience any unwanted sexual attention, uninvited sexual advances, or forced sex while in the military?
Does this experience continue to affect your life today?
CONTACT US TODAY
We are diligent in our efforts to provide personal advocacy on behalf of Veterans seeking assistance with claims and benefits.
Schedule a private consultation in our Online Appointments for FREE Consultation
-OR-
Phone: 1 803-653-1761
Email: vso@nabvets0124.org
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